#2,175 - The BRAVE Officer's 60-FOOT FALL: Battling to Keep Medical Insurance

In a heart-wrenching incident last summer, Bellevue Police Officer Kevin Beretta suffered a catastrophic fall from an overpass onto Interstate 5 while on duty for Vice President Kamala Harris's motorcade in Seattle. The fall, a staggering 60 feet into oncoming traffic, left Beretta with severe injuries, sidelining him from work since the accident on August 15th. Despite his dedication and the perilous nature of his job, Beretta finds himself in a dire situation six months post-accident; the city of Bellevue plans to cut his insurance as per the Union contract, leaving him to face hefty COBRA insurance costs. This decision has sparked outrage and a broader conversation about the support and treatment of first responders who risk their lives in the line of duty. The incident raises critical questions about the adequacy of current contracts and the moral obligation of cities to care for their injured officers beyond the bare minimum contractual obligations.